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Alexa Philippou
Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark will sit out her fourth straight recreation due to a left groin harm after the staff dominated her out of Thursday’s matchup in opposition to the Las Vegas Aces.
Earlier than this yr, Clark had by no means sat out a recreation in her skilled or school profession. Now, she’s going to sit her eighth regular-season recreation of the season (ninth total) due to harm. She was beforehand sidelined 5 video games due to a left quad pressure.
Clark additionally sat out the Fever’s 74-59 win over the top-ranked Minnesota Lynx in Tuesday’s Commissioner’s Cup closing (the sport doesn’t depend towards league standings).
“My aim has all the time been the identical,” Fever coach Stephanie White mentioned Wednesday. “I do not need this to be one thing that lingers, that we come again too quickly. We wish to ensure that she is 100% able to go and that we put her long-term well being and wellness on the forefront.”
Clark was listed as questionable going into Tuesday’s recreation however dominated out just a few hours earlier than tipoff. On Monday, White mentioned Clark was doing noncontact work at observe. The 6-foot guard is averaging 18.2 factors, 8.9 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 9 video games this season, capturing 39.0% from the sphere and 29.5% from 3, and was not too long ago named an All-Star starter and captain by advantage of receiving probably the most fan votes.
“She needs to play and she or he’s working to play and she or he has been working to play,” White mentioned. “And I believe after just a few days, it is like, ‘OK, we have a bit little bit of time’ — I believe it is 5 video games earlier than All-Star break — so let’s simply ease her thoughts despite the fact that she’s antsy and let’s do that the correct manner and ensure we’re able to go and 100% when she comes again.”
Indiana (8-8) kicks off a five-game homestand Thursday, subsequent taking part in the Los Angeles Sparks on Saturday after which the Golden State Valkyries on Wednesday.